Weekend Star-Gazing!

What are you plans for the weekend? At some point tonight I’ll be getting out my telescope to try and view something special. Maybe you’re heading camping, or just planning to sit on your deck and relax? Well this weekend be sure to look up to the sky.

It’ll be a big weekend for Stargazers as the peak of the Lyrid meteor shower will coincide with a waning crescent moon on Saturday. As many as 100 shooting stars per hour will be visible during the peak.

Photo Image: EarthSky.org

The shower is expected to be visible late tonight and early tomorrow morning with the best viewing between 2 AM and dawn.

Shooting stars aren’t stars, but tiny pieces of the comet Thatcher, which was last seen from Earth almost two centuries ago. However, the remnants are still out there and Earth passes through them every April.

The shower should be visible from any part of the northern hemisphere, as long as you’re away from city lights and the skies are clear.

According to Earth Sky, “The Lyrid meteor shower has the distinction of being among the oldest of known meteor showers. Records of this shower go back for some 2,700 years.

The ancient Chinese are said to have observed the Lyrid meteors “falling like rain” in the year 687 BC.”

Hopefully we’ll be able to see the spectacle. Environment Canada is however calling for a few clouds tonight, and increasing cloudines before morning.

But we can always hope and reach for the stars right?

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